the wardette studio blog

Photographing a wedding so close to Christmas, brings an extra element of excitement. Guests and couple alike, will already be in the festive spirit; enjoying a little more alcohol than usual, consuming more food than any other time of year, and making that extra effort to see, love and appreciate friends and family.. Sounds a lot like a wedding to me! What better way to elevate the feeling of celebration, than to get married during the festive season.

I will be honest with you, the weather did not deliver the crisp clear day I ordered. We had a very wet and windy day, which was a challenge to say the least. But it just made their reception venue all the more inviting. The Old Palace at Hatfield House, immediately presents itself as an historic and beautiful building, but today it's windows glowed and shimmered with the promise of warmth and welcome inside. Umbrellas were shaken off and coats peeled off, to enter the Grand Hall. It's one of those places which you enter, and find yourself stopping and looking up.

The vaulted wooden beamed roof stretches up away from you, and the old brick walls either side of you, hug you in;

it is indeed a grand setting, but it also redeems a feeling of home. The long white tables, with their tall candelabras dressed in festive greenery and red berries, all line up along the halls; the traditional wreaths all hanging one below another along the walls.

As a photographer, you cannot help but take in the light. And here, it glowed and emanated within the space. There was no directional light, and nothing too harsh, it just seemed to feel warm and inviting.

The wind and rain hit the windows above us, but the mulled wine drinks and roaring fire, certainly made for the ideal antidote.

Yes, I was thankful for the super smart nature of cameras these days, and how incredible they are in low light- without which, I would not have so easily captured the ambience.

Andy and Zelena are also worth mentioning as a couple. The best of friends (genuinely) and just so down to earth, they're relationship with their family and friends was quite a thing to witness. But perhaps more magically, in the rare moments where I took them away for a couple photo, I got to see a side to them which didn't show as often; affectionate, sweet and so so loving.

Giving these two awesome people those moments to just relax together, alone, and say those things in each others ears that created such genuine smiles, was a privilege.

Thank you for having me document your brilliant day guys, and I know that we will stay in touch.

Enjoy your Christmas everyone! I hope this Christmas wedding helps you to keep in the Christmas spirit.